A number of leading commercial casino operators in the US have announced the reopening of their properties as states continue to relax restrictions for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Commercial and tribal casinos were forced to temporarily close in March due to the Covid-19 crisis, but the easing of measures in certain states mean properties are now being allowed to reopen, subject to certain restrictions.
Caesars Entertainment Corporation resumed gambling operations at its Paris Las Vegas yesterday (June 18) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The operator had already reopened its Caesars Palace, Flamingo Las Vegas and Harrah’s Las Vegas properties in the city, as well as the gaming floor at The LINQ Hotel + Experience.
“As customer interest in visiting Las Vegas continues to increase this summer, we are pleased to welcome guests back to Paris Las Vegas with the same spirit and sophistication they have come to enjoy at our French-inspired resort,” Caesars’ chief executive Tony Rodio said.
“We are also committed to emphasising our enhanced health and safety protocols while creating memorable experiences for all our guests.”
Meanwhile, Century Casinos recommenced activities in Colorado by reopening its Century Casino & Hotel Cripple Creek on June 15 and Century Casino & Hotel Central City June 17.
Century reopened its Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort in West Virginia last week, as well as two of its venues in Missouri earlier in the month, and also restarted online off-track betting operations in Alberta County.
Erwin Haitzmann and Peter Hoetzinger, co-chief executives of Century Casinos, said: “We are very grateful about being able to welcome back our valued customers and team members. With these reopenings, all our casinos in North America and in Poland are operating again.”
Elsewhere, Penn National Gaming (PNG) revealed that 30 of its 41 gaming and racing properties have resumed operations across in 13 of the 19 states in which it operates.
This includes four Ohio properties – the Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Casino Toledo, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, and Hollywood Gaming at Mohoning Valley Race Course – all of which reopen today (June 19).
PNG will also resume operations at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Pennsylvania from today.
PNG’s president and chief executive Jay Snowden said: “We are continuing to work closely with our regulators and state and local leaders to prepare for the eventual reopening of all of our remaining properties.
“I want to thank our state regulators, as well as our corporate and property management teams who have worked tirelessly over the last several months to get us to this point.”